§ Lord GAINFORDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are taking any steps to provide training in the art of driving motor-cycles and mopeds with a view to the particular need for training young persons of about 16 years of age in road craft.
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, the Government are actively encouraging increased provision of training facilities through the various schemes now available and are seeking to persuade more riders to use them, by means of a publicity campaign. An Advisory Committee has also been set up to co-ordinate action on the provision and further development of training.
§ Lord GAINFORDMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that very encouraging reply. While these matters are being considered, would it be impossible to facilitate a speedy commencement of training, possibly by using schools which have large playgrounds—such as may be found in many parts of London—for suitable evening classes in the use and riding of motor-cycles? Not only would training be available, but teenagers could then rub shoulders with more mature students and possibly learn something to increase their interest in future studies.
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, we accept and share the noble Lord's concern, but we do not believe that it would help to cut across the present initiatives to expand the training facilities. At this stage we prefer to continue our support 168 for the RAC, the Autocycle Union and for the Schools Traffic Education Programme where these policies and schemes are available to the local authorities. It is the local authorities which, under Section 8 of the Road Traffic Act, have the responsibility to promote road safety within their areas. There would be difficulties in trying to widen the scheme too quickly because of the question of providing more instructors, more resources, and asking local authorities to spend money which at present they do not have. We hope to achieve it by voluntary means.
§ Lord BARNBYMy Lords, on the subject generally, is the noble Baroness in a position to give any idea whether it is intended to attempt to mitigate the environmental annoyance caused by the very loud noise emitted by the exhausts of motor-cycles?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, that is another question, but it is certainly a point of view of which I shall take note and refer to my Department.
§ Lord GAINFORDMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that many parents, who are concerned about matters of expense, have declared their willingness to help contribute towards the expense involved?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, yes; but it is still a question of finding enough instructors and the goodwill of the local authority to make the resources available.
Viscount ST. DAVIDSMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that any steps which she takes to save the lives of young people who use these machines will receive enormous backing in the country?—because there is very great concern about the number of young people who are losing their lives or being gravely injured in this way.
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, yes I share those views, and we in the Department are concerned about them. In 1977 there were 71,000 casualties and for the first time since 1964 that total exceeds the number of pedestrian casualties. Over half the motor-cycle casualties are teenagers in the 16 to 19 year-old group. It is something that we view with considerable seriousness.